Based on general forest management conditions, known pedological basics and new research findings in the field of soil biology, wheel track types have been developed as indicators of careful use of forest soil by forest machinery. One of the defined wheel track types is indicative of a loss of soil fertility and, accordingly, ecological damage ("track type 3"). The wheel track types form the basis of the management of physical soil protection in forests. To this end, they are incorporated into the planning and monitoring of the wood harvesting operations. This detailed guide for forestry practice provides an insight into the associated theory and concrete tips for its implementation, for example in the selection and use of forestry machines and in relation to the cost of soil protection.